*********************** ZEKE: Like the woods, I heard her calling me. I just returned from my travel with Aiden when it happened. The pack's Zeta tagged along because soon there will be a pack gathering, which he must attend. I saw what was happening in front of the café and immediately I jumped in to save her, especially when I glimpsed her intention to act. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have let her go out there on her own. I shouldn't have let her out of my sight. Drusila comes into my study as I'm pacing in front of my desk. "She's asleep now." I sigh, still pacing about the room, thinking hard about my next step. But my thoughts surprise me. I remember holding hands with Marelyn throughout the ride back, and it felt so natural. I've been staring in horror at my hands since then. Whatever happened in L.A stayed in L.A. Nothing prepared me for these heightened sparks between us. I want to protect her and do more for her, but I also want to

Three years ago... I climb a flight of stairs to get to the rooftop of the hospital building. It's my first time here, but Taz Brent's girlfriend had given birth to a human child last night and as Alpha, this has everything to do with me. Deserters have it easy with starting a family, but Taz is a Moon Grove wolf. The decision for a human child amongst us lies with me. We are here because it was born prematurely after seven months. He won't mate with her. Their relationship is already headed for rock bottom, and this might just be the final straw. I don't see any reason for his woman to know anything about our existence. My beta is still with him, but I've advised the pack doctor to make his choice. A human child has no place in Moon Grove. I shove the metal door open and cool air washes over my face like a wave. Dawn smells good, so good. Dust particles get stuck in my eyes for a jiffy and as I rub my hands over them, the first thing I see has me frozen like an icicle. The early m

ZEKE Downstairs, Drusila and Aiden are waiting for me in the living room. I walk in and the look on their face tells me there's more trouble ahead. Aiden still can't look me in the eye. I ignore him and settle into an armchair. Drusila's dressed in boots, jeans, and a flannel shirt. It's not her usual style, so it makes me curious. "I've got news, Alpha Zeke," Drusila says, crossing her arms. "It's always bad." I sigh, patting down on the arm. "Hit me." "Kyra and I got a hold of police reports. It's says all the culprits had a piece of jewelry on them and one story, which was; they don't know how it happened. They can't remember ambushing the Burns café and tossing rotten food at the girl." "Please tell me you got a sample for Taz." I ease back on the headrest, shutting my eyes for a moment. I didn't see any of this coming. Diana Aveyard is a twenty-first century world-wide sensation. I expected that from her fans, though it was too extreme. Now the culprits want us to believe

I freeze above him, completely paralysed with shock and shame. He's looking at me with tender eyes and I realise it's not for me. All this time, it's been Scarlett, only her. I untangle myself from him as I catch the tear that escaped with the back of my hand. He calls after me, but I don't respond because he's calling her."Where are you going?" He says again and I'm grateful he doesn't follow.The door slams behind me, and I fall against it, clutching my heart and feeling so stupid. What was I thinking? He's my captor. The man who only needs me for his heir. A cruel but beautiful man bearing so much pain. How could I let myself feel as he kissed me?He warned me. He said it was like an addiction. Even after burying my heart in the dust underneath his shoes, I still want to return to his room and have him look at me the way he looks at her. Hold me the way he holds her and kiss me...I've wanted all of this since that night in that bathroom, but I've tried so hard to ignore it. Now I'

I crack my eyes open. The room is dark. The blinds are rolled closed, but I can hear the new day loud and clear. I realise I'm lying over and straddling something warm and hard. It's Zeke's body. Somehow, I had cuddled close to him during the night. After a moment of watching his handsome face, his eyes pop open. I understand he's been awake for a while now. Nerves parch my throat. "Hey, how long have you been up?" Zeke doesn't respond, and I frown. His hands have been around my waist since I woke up. He doesn't remove them and I suspect he still thinks I'm Scarlett. It annoys me slightly, but I suppress that selfish feeling and try again. "Zeke?" I place a palm over his forehead. Even though a wolf can't run a temperature, I still try my best to make sure he's good. "How are you doing this morning?" "You are here with me. That alone makes me the luckiest man alive," he says, sitting up and pulling me close. His hand brushes the fallen strands away from my eyes, tucking them be